Three days of friends so far. David is in town from Guadalajara, Mexico. I took him out to lunch at Beyond Bread and we caught up. I am going to start saving money so I can go visit him.
























David.

He explained to me that since he is living in the tropics, it is quite common to take worm medicine, just in case.

That night I made yellow cake cupcakes with bittersweet chocolate-hazelnut frosting for Zach and Todd's pre-commitment ceremony pool party. They were delicious.

























Ryan and Zach.

I somehow managed to not get any pictures of Todd. I did stare at his hot nephew though.
























Terry and Ryan.

Ryan and his cute boyfriend Terry were down from Calgary. It is a bright sunshiny day to see Ryan.

That night an aluminum tube of death safely brought George and Jim down from Las Vegas. I made them waffles for breakfast. We then spent a day sightseeing.



















Mission of San Xavier del Bac.

The one side of the exterior of the church, constructed between 1783 and 1797, has been restored with lime and cactus juice plaster. They are raising money for the other side.
























Painting detail.

It is always amazing to study one or two of the paintings inside and think about an artist doing them back in the 1790s.

We also visited the Presidio Park and then headed off to Rosa's for lunch. I asked the cute new waiter how long he had worked there.




















Jim and George.

Then off to Sweetwater Wetlands, where we saw ruddy ducks, a night heron, and red-winged blackbirds. A nap, then Bookman's, 4th Avenue, Brooklyn Pizza, Sentinel Peak, and a visit to Tara and Chris' rounded out the day.





















The red-winged blackbirds were doing their mating rituals.

Pool party today!

I am a Radical Homosexual. I made yellow cupcakes with bittersweet chocolate-hazelnut frosting to take to a party. I am cleaning house because my Radical Homosexual friends Jim and George are coming for the weekend. Tomorrow we three Radical Homosexuals will visit a historic church, the presidio park, and Saguaro Park West. We do these things despite the fact that we are Radical Homosexuals with Radical Homosexual Agendas (shouldn't that be Agendae?).

Today's Radical Homosexual Agenda activities have included going to Mexican Safeway and buying some tequila (I am also Pro Illegal Immigrant), then some Radical Homosexual Yardwork. I know, I know, normal non-radical non-homosexuals never spend their time doing yardwork and such, but I guess I was just raised wrong.

Hard to return to work after a week off. While I was gone a hummingbird built a nest at work and is sitting on two eggs.
























Mama Hummingbird.

And at my house I am still battling the Africanized bees that have gotten into the roof of the guest house. The tiniest crack lets them in.

It rained every day in Portland, but I didn't mind.



















Mac didn't mind either.

I traveled north to unwind and spend some time in nature and in front of the television. Mark and Rodger were excellent hosts and I got to do many things I wanted to do. I ended up getting to know those two guys pretty well, I think they should have me be their houseboy for the summer.



















Including looking at slugs.

We went to Multnomah Falls and the pictures I took of myself didn't turn out because I had ice cream smeared all over my face.
























Multnomah Falls.

Lots of pretty wild flowers and green foliage to look at, as well as waterfalls.
























Rodger and Mark.

We went bird watching and I got to see a Bald Eagle feeding its chick, along with a great blue heron rookery.
























I also saw some Lady Bugs fucking.

It is so lush and green there, it seems impossible that it is that way.
























Wild rose.

Such a contrast with Tucson, which has just started to have summer.
























Horsetail.

So many interesting birds to see.
























Osprey.

And fun to watch Mac play in the water.



















Mac getting ready to jump in the water after the plastic duck.

I made a non-rage-inducing lemon meringue, a strawberry-rhubarb pie, and an angelfood cake with lemon curd. Unfortunately, the angelfood cake didn't rise very well- too much humidity.



















Strawberry-rhubard pie.

I got to spend some time with James, and had dinner with Sam and Greg. As it was, I didn't have a car so I didn't get to see some other guys that I would have liked to.
























Hummingbird.

There is always next time.

I'm in Portland having a lovely time with Mark and Rodger. Yesterday I got to watch a bald eagle feeding its chick and herons way up in trees with their babies. Even the electricity going out was an adventure. A trip to Powell's Bookstore was pretty cool, purchased some books and afterward I had some mac & cheese. I think it has settled on my stomach- when I get back to Tucson I will become bulemic, manorexic, and all that.

List of birds seen so far:

Scrub jay
Stellar's jay
Black-headed grosbeak
Osprey
Anna's hummingbird
Rufous hummingbird
Barn swallow
Tree swallow
Blue heron
Mallard
Bald eagle
Merlin
House finch
Goldfinch
Lesser goldfinch
Nuthatch
Band-tailed pigeon
Mourning dove

Raccoon!

Two meals and a graduation.

On Friday night I journeyed across town to Ahmet and Mark's house. Ahmet was preparing me a traditional Turkish meal.
























Ahmet.

Unfortunately, he didn't know I was a vegetarian.
























Supper!

I still enjoyed myself a great deal.

On Saturday I journeyed to the University of Arizona campus to attend the Law School graduation. Mark was receiving his PhD. The graduation was somewhat controversial because the students had voted for student speaker, and picked a fellow student who had been named to the Arizona State Legislature. This young Republican asswipe then voted for the nasty (and almost certainly unconstitutional) "illegal" immigrant law. So when said asswipe got up to give his speech, about 15 of his fellow students and one of the faculty members walked out of the auditorium, as did about 40 to 50 of the guests. Including me.

Later on, Raul Castro, the 93-year-old former governor of Arizona, a Mexican immigrant to the state, spoke. He directed many of his comments toward the asswipe, who was so fucking stupid that he clapped when Governor Castro was basically telling him he was an asswipe. It was an awesome speech.
























Dr. Mark and Zane.

We then went to Feast and feasted.
























Dr. Mark's lovely sister Deeanne.

I had a piece of delicious pie for dessert.



















And the lovely Wenona.

Afterward, we tired to the Mark/Sandy/Zane estate (although Sandy has not returned to Australia) and argued about cultural patrimony.

Today I discovered an Africanized bee colony had taken up residence inside the roof of the guesthouse. I had to use spray foam to seal the cracks. I then went clothes shopping and bought two pairs of 501 jeans, one in beige and one in brown. I will be stylish in Portland tomorrow.

I visited Swade and Paul cut my hair and trimmed my bushy moustache.
























Paul and moi, before makeover.

I don't think I will be mistaken for a terrorist now, although any checked luggage I have is always searched for some reason. Maybe I shouldn't have emailed the Governor and told her she was a "fucking racist bitch."























Afterward.

I am looking forward to my trip to Portland to see Mark, Rodger, Rick, and James.